Ait-Nouri: Wolves defender recommended to Milan to replace Theo Hernandez | OneFootball

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri has emerged as a potential option for Milan on the transfer market as the Rossoneri explore options to replace Theo Hernandez.

Reports in Italy claim that Milan are looking to move Theo Hernandez on in the next transfer window after a disappointing season in San Siro, which has brought a series of controversies including the ‘cooling break incident’ under Paulo Fonseca, the missed penalty fiasco against Fiorentina and most recently his red card during Milan’s exit from the Champions League, adding to a string of disappointing performances on the pitch.

A few names have already been linked with a move to San Siro in the summer, including Club Brugge’s Maxim De Cuyper, but La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Ait-Nouri is also a profile Milan are evaluating.

Why Ait-Nouri suits Milan

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolverhampton Wanderers arrives at the stadium the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Fulham FC at Molineux on February 25, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Ait-Nouri has certain similarities to Theo Hernandez in the way that he plays, particularly his tendency to be more effective going forwards than he is at the back.

At 23, the Algeria international still has plenty of room to grow, and Milan also have an advantage over most other clubs when it comes to contract negotiations.

That is because he and Rossoneri coach Sergio Conceicao share the same agent, Jorge Mendes, who has been closely connected to Wolves since 2016, and was responsible for bringing Ait-Nouri to Molyneux.

Ait-Nouri is due to be out of contract in the summer of 2026, but Wolves have an option to extent that for a further year in 2027, which means that they are in no immediate hurry to sell.